Thanks to lottery funding from Awards for All Wales, this year’s annual Woodcraft May camp came with a difference: In addition to the usual fun and games, the children also had the opportunity to learn bushcraft skills from two experienced wilderness instructors.

Bushcraft is about feeling comfortable and confident in the outdoors, working with natural products while respecting the environment, in short: surviving and thriving in nature. 

 The children learnt how to light fires without matches, made charcoal (and pencils) from hazel wood, learnt to identify trees and plants, and went on a rock-climb down to a waterfall. 10-year old Ella Buehner Gattis said: “It was brilliant! We got to use knives and saws!” “Safely, and with careful instruction.” , leaders would like to add…

Activities were led by Lucy Howell and Nicki Hedgecock from the Sussex Wildlife trust, both experienced bushcraft instructors and long-standing Woodcrafters themselves. 

Earlier this year, Penarth Woodcraft leaders had been on a training weekend led by Lucy Howell to prepare them for delivering the skills on camp.  Bushcraft is now firmly on the agenda for the Penarth Youth group, and thanks to the grant funding, the children will be able to enjoy learning about nature for many years to come.